1. a thorough search of a person or place
Usage: informal
2. extortion of money through threats or intimidation
Usage: informal
3. a test of a new system or procedure to identify problems

1. designed to test or break in something new

Examples

• The guards conducted a shakedown of all the prisoners’ cells.
• The corrupt official demanded a shakedown from local businesses.
• The new software needs a shakedown before we launch it publicly.
• He slept on a shakedown in the basement.
• The ship went on a shakedown cruise to test its equipment.
• This is just a shakedown run to work out any problems.
• The police performed a shakedown of the suspect’s apartment.